Barcelona's Lewandowski Emphasises Focus On Upcoming Matches Over Champions League Semi-Finals

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Barcelona's commanding performance against Borussia Dortmund has not shifted their focus beyond the current stage of the Champions League. Despite a 4-0 victory in the first leg of their quarter-final at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, Robert Lewandowski emphasised that they are not yet considering the semi-finals. The team remains concentrated on maintaining their form for the upcoming match in Dortmund.

Lewandowski played a crucial role, scoring twice and bringing his total to 99 goals for Barcelona. Raphinha and Lamine Yamal also contributed to the scoreline. Lewandowski highlighted the importance of teamwork, stating, "We play as a team; that's the most important thing. It doesn't matter if the strikers score, it's the team that's important." His impressive record against Dortmund now stands at 29 goals in 28 matches.

The striker stressed that Barcelona must continue their strong performance in the return leg. "We played very well," he told Movistar. "We are not thinking about the semi-finals yet. We always want to play our football. We'll go to win in Dortmund." He acknowledged their excellent second-half display and urged his teammates to maintain this level of play.

Hansi Flick, Barcelona's coach, achieved his 25th Champions League victory in just 29 games, surpassing former Barca manager Luis Enrique by five matches. Despite this milestone, Flick echoed Lewandowski's caution about underestimating Dortmund. He remarked on the unpredictable nature of football and stressed that they must replicate their performance from the first leg while minimising errors.

The team's success is attributed to their collective effort rather than individual achievements. Lewandowski noted that while scoring is significant, it is ultimately about how well they function as a unit. This approach has been instrumental in their journey so far in the competition.

Barcelona's determination remains unwavering as they prepare for their next challenge against Dortmund. Their focus is on executing their game plan effectively without complacency setting in after their initial triumph. The team's unity and strategic mindset will be crucial as they aim to secure a place in the semi-finals of the Champions League.